Winter-hardy garden plants

Written by Engel & Völkers on 11/10/17

If you would like your garden to blossom in winter too, this can be achieved by using winter-hardy plants. Some garden plants must already be sown or planted in spring. Planning your garden in due time will allow you to have beautiful flowers and plants in your garden all year round. Using a mix of trees and shrubs such as snake-bark maple and evergreen plants such as rhododendron creates natural-looking diversity. There are certain evergreens with bright berries that will bring colour to your garden even in winter. These include the various types of barberry, for example.

But even for winter-hardy plants, you need to observe the following: Shrubs and trees should not be exposed to morning or midday sun, as intense sunlight will thaw the leaves in winter and induce evaporation. When roots and ground are frozen, the plant cannot replace the water lost by evaporation. For this reason, you should not shake off small amounts of snow that accumulate on the plants, as these provide natural protection from the sun. The roots can be protected by covering the soil with a little mulch; in severe frost and sun, cover the plant with some brushwood or fleece material.

Winter-hardy balcony and terrace plants

Heath is a typical winter plant. English heath blooms until late May, Christmas roses, Lenton roses, primroses and winter violets also flower in winter. Wintergreen grasses such as sedges or the cushion bush with its silvery needle-shaped leaves are a great addition to your balcony.

As they carry leaves all year round, evergreen plants also need water in winter to survive. But if the ground is frozen, they cannot absorb water. Pot plants in particular should therefore be watered on frost-free days. In winter, they should be placed in a sheltered spot along the wall of the house and protected with brushwood to prevent evaporation. Wrapping jute or fleece around the pot protects your plants from the cold. Smaller pots can be placed inside larger ones, and the spaces in-between can be filled with insulating material such as straw or foliage. In addition, you can also place a styrofoam mat underneath the pots to protect the roots against cold from the ground.

All-season indoor plants

You can also enjoy colourful flowers inside your house or apartment all year round. The classical orchid or the white adder’s mouth are non-stop bloomers and real eye-catchers. The coral bush produces white flowers at the beginning of the year, which turn into red berries as the year progresses.

Indoor plants, too, require special attention in winter. The warm air from the heating stimulates growth, but at the same time there is not enough light. Furthermore, heated air is dry, which increases the risk of pest infestation. Thus, keep your plants away from too much heat, but place them near the windows to give them as much sunlight as possible. Try to increase indoor humidity and only water your plants if the soil is dry.

If you observe our tips on how to care for your plants in winter, you should be rewarded with a beautiful garden.